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  • Title: Oral electrolyte therapy for acute diarrhea in infants.
    Author: Sunakorn P.
    Journal: J Med Assoc Thai; 1981 Aug; 64(8):401-5. PubMed ID: 7264496.
    Abstract:
    The treatment of diarrheal diseases involves replacement of water and electrolytes lost. This is done by nasogastric and intravenous routes in severe cases but can be done successfully by oral administration of fluid electrolytes in mild to moderately severe cases. The ORS formula (a WHO-developed formula containing 90 mEq/1 of sodium, 20 mEq/1 of potassium, 80 mEq/1 of chloride, 30 mEq/1 of bicarbonate with 2% of glucose), hospital-prepared solutions, and home-made salt/sugar solutions are possibilities. 3 studies using the ORS showed that the solution is effective in replacing fluid and electrolyte loss in acute diarrhea in infants. Results from a study with 30 patients under 2 showed that the amount of oral electrolyte intake is sufficient to correct dehydration. Weight gain was 3.8 +or- 3/3% in 24 hours. When edema developed in a 2nd study with 16 patients under 6 months, it was concluded that the ORS intake should be restricted to the amount lost through diarrhea. This strategy was tried with 18 infants under 6 months and was successful. Although weight gain with oral rehydration is lower than with intravenous therapy, it can reduce the need for intravenous therapy in more than 80% of cases.
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